Lawmakers push slots for horse tracks

With uncertainty about funding for the state's major construction program, some lawmakers say they have the answer: slot machines at horse racing tracks.

Staff reports

With uncertainty about funding for the state's major construction program, some lawmakers say they have the answer: slot machines at horse racing tracks.

House Bill 5975, sponsored by state Rep. Will Burns, D-Chicago, would generate more than $100 million from licensing fees and up to $300 in annual revenue by allowing electronic gambling in the state's horse racing facilities - namely in Chicago's suburbs and the St. Louis area.

That money would go to fill the gaps left by video poker, which was originally slated to pay for the $31 billion capital program approved last year but is estimated to fall $177 million short because many communities are opting out.

"If we are going to get Illinoisans back to work and take care of building roads and bridges, we are going to need to have revenue going into the capital projects fund," Burns said at a news conference today with horse racing advocates.

But critics include riverboat casinos, who long have fought efforts to put slots at tracks.